(Updated July 7) Selected for the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's FY3 (carried over from FYXNUMX) "Drug Discovery Cluster Campus Development Project" ~ Calling for participation from domestic startups aiming to expand overseas ~

We are pleased to announce that the Future Medical Promotion Organization (hereafter referred to as Nakanoshima Qross, Chairman: Yoshiki Sawa) has been selected for the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's "Drug Discovery Cluster Campus Development Project" for fiscal year 2025 (carried over from fiscal year 2024)."Nakanoshima Qross Drug Discovery and Practical Application Promotion Program Support Project"In"Startup Growth Acceleration Support Project"is to haveStartups receiving tailored growth support programsWe are looking for.

About the Nakanoshima Qross Drug Discovery and Practical Application Promotion Program Support Project

With issues such as drug lag and drug loss becoming evident, this project aims to rebuild and strengthen Japan's drug discovery capabilities, and in particular to build a support system that will lead the drug discovery seeds of startups and academia to practical application. This project will develop a function to accelerate the training of startups and researchers, and provide a place where domestic and international investors and global pharmaceutical companies can connect and co-create on a daily basis. By doing so, Nakanoshima Qross will become a drug discovery startup ecosystem base that aims to create a future medical industry that attracts the attention of leading global players, and by strengthening the drug discovery capabilities of startups and others, we aim to promote the development of innovative new drugs and provide new treatment options to the public. In addition, we aim to actively attract overseas markets, capital, and know-how, and increase Japan's presence as one of the world's drug discovery hubs.

Main support contents:

The project will provide support based on the following five pillars:

(1) Community building

• By providing a place where startups, researchers, investors, global pharmaceutical companies, and medical professionals can gather and interact on a daily basis, and by planning and hosting business matching and pitch events every month to foster co-creation, we will create an environment where anyone who visits Nakanoshima can find commercialization and investment opportunities.

(2) Support for accelerating the growth of startups

• Collaborate with global pharma CVCs and consulting firms to form mentoring teams, select promising startups, and provide tailored growth support programs tailored to individual issues (pharmaceutical approval, patent strategies, human resource development, fundraising, etc.) to accelerate SU development.

(3) Attracting overseas stakeholders

• We will attract leading accelerators with a strong track record in identifying and nurturing world-class startups, as well as global pharma CVCs, and encourage them to establish bases there, making Nakanoshima Qross an international hub for nurturing healthcare SUs.

(4) Overseas Ecosystem Bridge

• Implement a short-term overseas dispatch program for startups and researchers to collaborate with investors, business companies, and world-class research institutes in overseas life science ecosystems in cities such as Boston, Silicon Valley, and London, creating an environment in which startups can compete with overseas companies by coming to Nakanoshima.

(5) Human resource development for drug discovery

• By introducing an overseas entrepreneurial education program to develop entrepreneurial talent in the life sciences field and planning and implementing a CDMO talent development program, which is essential for drug discovery but is in short supply, we will create an environment in which those who attend Nakanoshima Qross can become talent capable of expanding overseas.

Requirements for startups to receive a tailored growth support program as part of the "Startup Growth Acceleration Support Program" under the "Nakanoshima Qross Drug Discovery and Practical Application Promotion Program Support Program":

Startups that meet all of the following requirements
1. The company must have legal status in Japan. (This includes overseas startups that are seeking to establish a corporation in Japan.)
2. It must be an early or mid-phase startup.
3. The company has aspirations for global expansion.
(Plans and intentions to sell pharmaceuticals and related technologies and services both domestically and overseas)
4. Executives, business development managers, and other decision-making authorities are able to participate in accelerator programs conducted overseas.

Judging criteria:

• Technological innovation: Originality and superiority of ideas and technologies
• Marketability and growth: Possibility of commercialization and market size
• Sociality: Contribution and impact on society
• Feasibility: Does the business have a proven track record or potential?
• Team capabilities: Experience and track record of team members, etc.

Support for accelerating the growth of startups (approximately 15 companies)

After identifying the issues and setting support goals, we will consult and examine with support organizations (consultant companies, accelerators, global pharmaceutical companies, experts, etc.), formulate an integrated plan for supporting startups to accelerate their growth that defines the appropriate support personnel and support content, and then carry out support activities. Please fill out the application form below to describe the individual support you are looking for.

Recruitment period:

Monday, June 30, 2025 - Friday, August 1, 2025 (Selection confirmed: August 21)

Application method:

Application Information Session: (Updated July 3rd)

An information session (online) regarding the details of this project will be held on the following dates and times.
If you would like to participate in the information session, please click on the link below.

• Date and time: Monday, July 14, 2020, 18:00-19:00
• Method: Online meeting (ZOOM webinar)
• Participation URL

Other points to note:

The selection committee, consisting of external experts, will review the applications. Selected startups will be invited to speak at the kickoff event scheduled for August 21st.
[Kickoff event program]

■13:30-13:45 Opening
■13:45-14:10 Organizer's opening remarks and keynote speech
■14:10-14:20 Business overview
■14:20-15:50 Introduction of the first batch of selected NQ startups (short pitch format)
■15:50-16:35 Panel discussion (Global Pharma, Accelerators)
■16:35-17:00 Closing
■17:00- 18:00 Exchange meeting
*Please note that the program may be subject to change without notice.

For inquiries:

Future Medical Promotion Organization General Incorporated Foundation Secretariat

Email Address:jimukyoku@miraikiko.jp